Tutar visited Mr Charles at his home in Murray Grove, Hoxton, to check he was alone, before leaving to collect her three male accomplices.

The trio burst in and threatened Mr Charles with two Russian 9mm gas pistols and a converted German Weihrauch pistol.

But Mr Charles had already sold the chain and his friend, Marlon David, was at the flat. He leapt over the balcony to escape and alerted police, who happened to be passing by. Defreitas was on licence from a seven-year stretch after he and fellow members of the notorious Love of Money gang went on a ‘‘murder mission’’ to shoot a rival in April 2006, leaving a four-year-old girl who was caught in the crossfire fighting for her life.

All four of the accused denied aggravated burglary, five counts of possessing a prohibited firearm, two counts of possessing ammunition and two further counts of having ammunition without a firearms certificate.

They were all convicted by a jury following a trial earlier this year and sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court last week. Defreitas, of Gopsall Street, Hoxton, who also denied a further two counts of intimidation and perverting the course of justice, got 19 years and must serve at least nine-and-a-half.

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